Hawks: TV time for Holmgren

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NBC’s pre-game coverage of the Super Bowl will include analysis by Mike Holmgren, who stepped away this month after 10 seasons as coach of the Seahawks.

Here’s a release with more details:

Tony Dungy and Mike Holmgren, who as NFL head coaches combined to win two Super Bowl rings and reach four Super Bowls, will join NBC’s pregame coverage of Super Bowl XLIII, which begins at 12 noon, ET on Sunday, Feb. 1. The announcement was made today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics and Executive Producer of NBC’s Super Bowl broadcast.

“Over the past few years I’ve enjoyed getting to know Tony and Mike through numerous production meetings and have been impressed by the way they handled themselves not only as coaches and communicators but also as men,” said Ebersol. “What I learned is that in addition to their obvious Super Bowl credentials, Mike and Tony share extraordinary storytelling ability. We’re excited to have them make their broadcast debuts with us. I’m sure viewers will enjoy their unique perspective and insights as Super Bowl coaches.”

Dungy recently announced his retirement as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts after making the playoffs in each of his last 10 seasons (7 with Indianapolis; 3 with Tampa Bay). Dungy’s crowning achievement came in Super Bowl XLI, when he became the first African-American coach to lead his team to a Super Bowl victory as the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears. A former NFL defensive back, Dungy is one of only three men to win Super Bowls as both a player and head coach joining Mike Ditka and Tom Flores. Dungy is the author of the best selling book “Quiet Strength,” as well as a children’s book. His third book “Uncommon: Finding Your Path to Significance,” will be released next week.

In Dungy’s six seasons as head coach of the Bucs, his teams made the playoffs in four of those years, reaching the NFC Championship Game in 2000. In his 13 seasons, Dungy’s teams posted a losing record just once, his first season in Tampa Bay.

Off the field, Dungy is renowned for his contributions to the community – both for civic and charitable causes. In August 2007, President George W. Bush appointed Dungy a member of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. The 25-member council represents leaders from government, business, entertainment, athletics and non-profit organizations committed to growing the spirit of service and civic participation.

Holmgren recently left the Seattle Seahawks organization after 10 seasons, making the postseason in six of those seasons and taking Seattle to Super Bowl XL. One of the most accomplished head coaches in NFL history, Holmgren is just the fourth coach in the post merger NFL to guide a team to at least seven straight postseasons, joining Dungy (10 years), Tom Landry (nine years, and eight years) and Chuck Noll (eight years).

Holmgren took control of the Seahawks following a successful stint as head coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1992-98 that included a 75-37 (.670) regular-season record, a 9-5 (.643) postseason mark, and two Super Bowl appearances, including a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. By winning at least one game in five consecutive postseasons (1993-97), Holmgren joined John Madden (1973-77) as the only coaches in league history to accomplish the feat.

Before becoming the Packers’ head coach, Holmgren served as an assistant coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 1986-91. He coached the 49ers’ quarterbacks from 1986-88 under head coach Bill Walsh, and was the team’s offensive coordinator from 1989-91 under George Seifert. During his tenure in San Francisco, the 49ers posted a 71-23-1 (.753) regular-season record to reach the postseason each year, and won two Super Bowls As offensive coordinator in 1989, the 49ers boasted the NFL’s top-ranked offense.